June represents Caribbean American Heritage Month. Although this may be biased, the Caribbean is diverse with a wealth of cultures, changemakers, and thought leaders. Aside from its natural beauty and an array of delectable dishes, the region has produced some of history’s most profound leaders. From Marcus Garvey, Shirley Chisholm, and Michael Manley these heavy hitters are among the countless tide shifters in the name of progress.
As a first-gen American, my parents embedded in me the pride and knowledge of Caribbean heritage. It’s a pride that I wear with a badge of honor and a culture I hope to pass on to my children. With the intersectionality of my identity, my experience is all too familiar with other first-generation Americans. Living in the states and being unapologetic about the fervor and legacy of the region; often times, this paradigm has meant being boxed as “other”. I’ve felt culturally different from my American friends and ‘too American’ with my family and peers when I visit Barbados.
Nonetheless, I wouldn’t trade my culture for anything and wholly understand the privilege I’m afforded to co-exist between multiple cultures. I hope this blog serves both students living in the Caribbean and Caribbean-American students. Students of tomorrow who will ultimately reach back and pour into the places that molded you and/or your parents.
Check out these resources below for descendants of the Caribbean and students in the Caribbean:
- Chicana Latina Scholarship
- The Jacqueline Woodson Fellowship for a Young People’s Writer of African or Caribbean Descent
- American Caribbean Maritime Foundation Scholarship
- UWI – Caribbean Actuarial Scholarship
- New College of Florida – LAC Scholarship Program (4 years of tuition covered!)
- Hatch Billops Scholarship
- Jamaican American Cultural Association
- Caribbean Bar Association
- Zibina Fraser Adams Scholarship Fund
- CAFA Annual Scholarship Fund
- Frazier Thompson Scholarship (for African Diaspora applicants only)
- Yale Young Global Scholars
- University of the Southern Caribbean Scholarships
For Students Residing in the Caribbean:
*please note that many of these scholarships are for students studying in Canada or the UK.
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program
- The Fulbright Latin American Scholarship Program of American Universities (LASPAU)
- UCF Global: Latin American and Caribbean Scholarship
- Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program
- Commonwealth Scholarships
- Chevening Scholarship
- We Make Scholars List of Scholarships
- Caribbean Tourism Organization Scholarship Foundation
- UWI: Enid Jones-Forrester Memorial Student Grant (Jamaican students only)
- Florida Caribbean Institute (FIU)
- José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund (Latinx applicants only)
- Harvard University Graduate School of Design (International Students Scholarships)
- Julia Cadiz Negrón Endowed Scholarship (Latinx applicants only)
To quote my dear friend, a proud Caribbean American, and journalist, Sarai Thompson, “all ah we is one.” A calypso song and saying I’ve heard throughout my childhood. Despite the many inherent difference across the region, our culture is woven with resiliency, innovation, and vibes! If you couldn’t find scholarship resources based on this curated list, check out our other blog, ‘When You’re the First’ for first-generation students or the resources tabs to learn about other opportunities. Happy Caribbean American Heritage Month!
